Residential Community Handbook: Natural Bridge Houses

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY HANDBOOK

Natural Bridge Houses 2014-2015

Residential Life’s Policies and Community Guide

University of Missouri - St. Louis

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WELCOME HOME!

In an effort to support the Fraternity and Sorority Life community at UMSL, the University offers campus-owned housing for interested organizations. Residential Life and Housing, the Office of Student Life, and inter/national organizations continually work together to ensure a positive experience for house residents and chapter members. This handbook serves as a guide to living in the Natural Bridge Residential Life communities. It includes helpful information on campus services, policies, and procedures for working and communicating with UMSL and your Housing Corps. All residents are responsible for the contents of the guide, so please take adequate time to read it thoroughly. If you have any questions or would like clarification of any part of this booklet, please feel free to contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing at (314) 516-6877 or the Office of Student Life at (314) 516 – 5291.

Residential Life’s Policies and Community Guide

University of Missouri - St. Louis

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Table of Contents ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS ....................................................................................................... 4

Inter/National Organizations and Housing Corps .................................................................. 5

Residential Life and Housing .................................................................................................... 5

Office of Student Life ................................................................................................................. 5

HOUSE RESIDENTS ....................................................................................................................... 6

Resident Meetings ..................................................................................................................... 6

House Manager Meetings ......................................................................................................... 6

Billing ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Mail ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Room And House Bill Of Rights ................................................................................................ 6

Room Personalization ............................................................................................................... 7

Passive Participation ................................................................................................................. 7

Pets ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Repairs ....................................................................................................................................... 8

NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONSHIPS ............................................................................................. 8

Quiet And Courtesy Hours ........................................................................................................ 9

EVENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 9

HOUSE ACCESS ............................................................................................................................ 10

ID Cards .................................................................................................................................... 10

Updating House Access ........................................................................................................... 10

Keys .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Lock Out Policy ........................................................................................................................ 11

House Closing & Opening ........................................................................................................ 11

SECURITY ..................................................................................................................................... 12

Room Entry .............................................................................................................................. 12

Health And Safety Inspections ............................................................................................... 13

FACILITIES ................................................................................................................................... 13

Landscaping ............................................................................................................................. 13

Bicycles and Bicycle Storage .................................................................................................. 13

Kitchen ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Laundry .................................................................................................................................... 13

Cleaning & Trash Policy .......................................................................................................... 14

APPLIANCES ................................................................................................................................ 14

Furnace ..................................................................................................................................... 15

Refrigerators ............................................................................................................................ 15

Smoke Detector ....................................................................................................................... 15

Fire Extinguishers ................................................................................................................... 15

Thermostat............................................................................................................................... 16

Bathtub/Shower ...................................................................................................................... 16

Water heater ............................................................................................................................ 16

Cable Television....................................................................................................................... 16

Cooking and Electrical Appliances ......................................................................................... 16

Halogen or Lava Lamps ........................................................................................................... 16

Natural Bridge Community Guide & Residential Policies Spring 2014 University of Missouri - St. Louis

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Power Cords ............................................................................................................................. 16

Space Heaters .......................................................................................................................... 17

PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................................... 17

Pests and Bed Bugs ................................................................................................................. 17

Weapons ................................................................................................................................... 17

Alcoholic Beverages ................................................................................................................ 17

Controlled Substances ............................................................................................................ 17

Candles ..................................................................................................................................... 17

Incense ..................................................................................................................................... 17

Smoking Inside Buildings ....................................................................................................... 18

Gambling .................................................................................................................................. 18

Operating a Business ............................................................................................................... 18

Window Screens ...................................................................................................................... 18

Patios and Balconies/Decks ................................................................................................... 18

DAMAGE CHARGES ..................................................................................................................... 19

Common Fines ......................................................................................................................... 19

PARKING LOTS ............................................................................................................................ 19

Snow Removal ......................................................................................................................... 20

SAFETY PROCOTOL AND PROCEDURES ................................................................................... 20

Fire ............................................................................................................................................ 20

Severe Weather/Tornadoes ................................................................................................... 21

Medical ..................................................................................................................................... 23

Criminal Activity ...................................................................................................................... 23

Building Violence Or Hostage Situation ................................................................................ 23

EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE REQUESTS ................................................................................. 23

STUDENT CONDUCT VIOLATIONS ............................................................................................ 25

Documentation ........................................................................................................................ 25

Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 26

Helpful On Campus Numbers ................................................................................................. 27

Do’s and Don’ts of Plumbing................................................................................................... 28

Important Dates ...................................................................................................................... 29

Common Fines & Replacement Costs .................................................................................... 30


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UMSL Contact Information Director of Student Life Jessica Long-Pease MSC 366 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)516-5291 [email protected] Fraternity & Sorority Life and Student Organizations Coordinator Colleen Pace MSC 366 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)516-5291 [email protected]

Director of Residential Life & Housing Jonathan Lidgus Provincial House N408 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)-516-6877 [email protected] Residential Life Coordinator Property Manager Lesley Peters 4343 Normandy Trace Dr. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)-524-3446 [email protected]

Office of Student Life MSC 366 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)516-5291 Fax: (314)516-6747 [email protected] Office Hours: M-Th 8am-6pm Fridays 8am – 5pm

Residence Life & Housing Provincial House C103 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)-516-6877 Fax: (314)-516-6878 [email protected] Office Hours: M-Fr 8am-7pm Sat 10am-2pm

UMSL Police 44 Campus Police Building 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 (314)516-5155 http://safety.umsl.edu/police

For after-hours assistance call the Pro – Staff (314) 225-9971

mailto:[email protected]






http://safety.umsl.edu/police


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ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS

Inter/National Organizations and Housing Corps

Each inter/national fraternity and sorority has a contract or housing agreement with the University of Missouri – St. Louis through Residential Life and Housing. Each agreement between inter/national organizations and the University varies slightly according to the needs of the organization. It is the responsibility of the Housing Corps and the local fraternity/sorority to fill the house each semester and ensure that all bills are up to date and paid to the University.

If you have questions regarding bills, rent, or the agreement, please contact your chapter advisor or your Housing Corps Representative.

Residential Life and Housing

The Office of Residential Life and Housing at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is committed to providing on-campus housing, and maintaining a learning environment that encourages academic success, student engagement, personal growth and personal responsibility. Residential Life and Housing is responsible for helping the chapter maintain the Natural Bridge properties as outlined in this handbook. Residential Life and Housing is also responsible for ensuring that the House Access List is kept up to date according to the Monthly Report submitted to the Office of Student Life by each chapter. Residential Life and Housing’s main office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. We are located in the Provincial House on the first floor, in office C103. The telephone number for our office is (314) 516-6877.

Office of Student Life The mission of the Office of Student Life is to help students develop as life-long learners and leaders by providing quality programs and services that complement and enhance the academic experience. The Office of Student Life oversees the fraternities and sororities and serves as a liaison among the chapters, Residential Life and Housing, and the inter/national organizations and Housing Corps. The Office of Student Life is also responsible for collecting Monthly Reports from each chapter that is reflective of the current house manager, chapter advisor, and Housing Corps Representative. This same report should also reflect the level of house access for each member to ensure a secure and safe house. The Office of Student Life is open Monday-Thursday 8am-6pm and 8am – 5pm on Fridays. We are located in the MSC 366. The telephone number for our office is (314)516-5291.


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HOUSE RESIDENTS

Resident Meetings

To insure communication among the chapters and UMSL, a town hall meeting with all residents will be held at the beginning of each semester. During this meeting Residential Life and Housing will review all relevant policies and procedures and address any concerns regarding the properties. This meeting will occur within the first month of the Fall & Spring semesters

House Manager Meetings Monthly meetings will also be held with the house manager for each chapter. This will allow UMSL and house residents to address concerns and stay up to date with the properties throughout the semester. Meetings will be held on the last Monday of each month, the time will be determined according to availability of the attendees.

Billing Residential Life and Housing will bill the inter/national organization for rent and any additional expenses or damages that occur. The inter/national organization is responsible for setting rent according to the needs of the organization. For questions regarding your monthly rent or other bills, please contact your chapter advisor or Housing Corps representative.

Mail Mailboxes are located at each house All mail/packages should be addressed:

Your Name Your house address St. Louis, MO 63121

Room And House Bill Of Rights The University suggests implementing general house rules for residents and members of the chapter to follow. Below are some suggestions based on the Residential Life and Housing community guides and policies:

Basic rights include the right to: 1. Study, free from undue interference (noise, stereo, guests, etc.), in one's room. 2. Sleep without undue disturbance from noise, guests, roommates, etc. 3. Expect that roommates will respect one's personal belongings. When borrowing or

using others' belongings, ask their permission first and get approval. 4. Live in a clean environment. 5. Free access to one's room and facilities without pressure from roommates to vacate. 6. Personal privacy and space. 7. Host guests at agreed upon times and with the expectation that guests are to respect the

rights of the host, roommate(s), and other roommates. 8. Expect any and all disagreements to be discussed in an atmosphere of openness and

mutual respect.


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**Additional Chapter rules also apply. Consult with your chapter advisor and Housing Corps to identify additional rules that may be needed**

Room Personalization Many residents want to personalize their rooms and houses to feel more at home and comfortable in the space. Here are some helpful guidelines for you to use.

All furniture in your room needs to remain in your room. If you choose to store anything elsewhere in the house, you must return it to your room before you move out. You must have room for traffic to flow into and, especially, out of your room for safety reasons.

Nothing should be hung from pipes in the rooms or from wall and ceiling hooks. Small nails are recommended to hang things on your walls (max of 8 nails on your

room’s walls) and for your door, or painter’s tape are suggested. Nothing else should be attached, secured, or permanently affixed to doors, ceilings, floors, or walls. Prohibited items include cork and mirror tiles, plant hangers, paneling, belt and tie racks, bulletin boards, wall and floor coverings, etc. Screw-in hooks, carpet glue, tape, black light paint, bolts, duct tape, staples, and tacks are prohibited as well.

Flags, nets, parachutes, sheets, etc. should not be hung from the ceiling or fixtures or in any manner that obstructs the window.

Drapes should be made of fire retardant materials and should be hung by tension rods.

Vents should not be covered and must be easily accessible. Stickers, glow in the dark stickers, glow in the dark crayons, paint, or markers and

other items that may cause damage to walls are not allowed. You may not place furniture or other items in your hallways because this poses

multiple fire safety issues. Doing this will result in the student(s) responsible being fined or sanctioned by the office of Residential Life and/or Student Affairs.

Your room needs to be left in the same condition it was in on the day you moved in.

Passive Participation Residents are obligated to remove themselves from any situation where a violation is occurring. Residents present during a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or this handbook can be held responsible for that violation.

Overnight Guests Please review your local Housing Corps or chapter policy regarding overnight guests. If there is no written policy from your chapter or Housing Corps, the University recommends consulting with the other house residents to enact your own local policy. It is important to keep in mind all roommates and housemates and ensure that everyone is comfortable with the local policy that is used.

Pets For purposes of health, pets (with the exception of fish) are not allowed to visit or be kept in the residence. Guide dogs (or similar domesticated animals) are permitted within the


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residence halls for persons with a documented disability. Fish tanks may not exceed five (5) gallons in size.

Repairs Please report all maintenance problems and repair requests to this website: http://www.umsl.edu/services/reslife/maintenance/request.html. When the resident submits a service request, the resident authorizes the staff to enter the room to provide the service. This will occur whether or not the resident is at home. Repairs that occur as a result of damage or neglect may be billed to the Housing Corps.

NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONSHIPS

As members of a community, we all have responsibilities to the city where we live and to our neighbors. It is important to foster good relations with one another in order to maintain and enhance the quality of life, safety, and desirability of the neighborhood we share. The following guidelines will help foster good neighbor relations for current and future residents of the Natural Bridge Fraternity & Sorority houses:

1. Introduce yourself. Each year the new House Manager and Chapter President should introduce him/herself to the neighbors and offer contact information. If the neighbor has a direct point of contact to someone living at the house, he or she is less likely to call the police in the event of a complaint. If you are able, have each resident introduce him or herself to the neighbors to help keep the relationship open and friendly

2. Encourage your neighbors to call you first if there are any problems at your

house such as loud music, litter, etc. Be respectful and responsive to their concerns.

3. When engaging with neighbors – be polite, respectful, and courteous. Regardless of the venue or time of day, student leaders reflect upon their fraternity/sorority and the University.

4. Host an open house. Invite the neighbors into your home and help them learn

more about your fraternity or sorority.

5. Be conscious of when you are holding your events. If you are hosting a party on a Tuesday that goes until 3:00am, neighbors are bound to be frustrated.

6. If you are planning an activity that might be intrusive to the neighborhood (increased level of noise, foot traffic, automobiles and parking concerns, etc.), please inform all the neighbors at least a week before the event. Discuss any concerns and reasonable alternatives.

7. Participate in community/neighborhood activities whenever possible. You are not only a member of the UMSL and Fraternity & Sorority Life community, but

http://www.umsl.edu/services/reslife/maintenance/request.html


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also the surrounding neighborhood of your chapter house. Make sure that you invest time and effort into being a part of the community.

8. Volunteer in the community. Offer to help a neighbor take in his or her groceries

or rake leaves for them.

9. Keep your yard tidy. Clean up within 24 hours of a large event; ensure that there are no unsightly objects on your porch or in your yard (for example, broken furniture, trash bags, old decorations).

10. Repeat these efforts each year, as the fraternity/sorority membership and leadership changes each year.

Quiet And Courtesy Hours Although the University does not have a policy regarding quiet hours, musical instruments, or amplified music, please remember to be good neighbors. In order to create an environment conducive to creating positive relationships with the surrounding community, you are asked to exercise good sense and consideration of others at all times. Recommended Quiet Hours are:

Sunday to Thursday: 11 PM-9 AM the next day. Friday to Saturday: 1 AM to 9 AM the next day. During finals - 24 hours beginning at 8 AM the Sunday prior to finals and ending on Friday at 8AM

Quiet hours are defined as times when the highest priority is given to the conditions necessary for others to sleep and/or study within their rooms in the house. Any activity that produces noise that interferes with quiet hours is discouraged. If you plan on hosting an event at the chapter house, remember to utilize the Event Notification System (outlined below) and work to notify your surrounding neighbors to avoid noise violations or police disturbances.

EVENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Any event to be held at one of the fraternity or sorority houses located on Natural Bridge Road must first be submitted to the Office of Student Life and Residence Life and Housing. Events are considered any pre-planned function happening at the house involving more than house residents. This includes but is not limited to social events/parties, alumni events, mixers with another fraternity or sorority, bid day celebrations, etc. Chapters should use this form to notify the Office of Student Life and Residential Life & Housing of the event. Event Notifications should be submitted no later than 1 week before the event. If you are hosting a large event at the chapter house that will require additional parking accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Life and Residential Life and Housing for further direction.


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The Event Notification System allows the Office of Student Life and Residential Life and Housing to communicate with necessary stakeholders regarding what is happening on University-owned properties. Necessary risk management procedures from your inter/national headquarters and respective governing council should be followed at all times according to the nature of the event. If an emergency occurs during an event at the chapter house, the first call should always be to the UMSL Police Department. The second call should be to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator and/or the on-call Residential Life & Housing employee. The Event Notification Form can be found on TritonSync in the Fraternity & Sorority Life portal under Forms or you can use This Link.

HOUSE ACCESS

ID Cards Every house has a card reader at the back door for authorized entry into the house. The Housing Corp or Chapter will provide a list of authorized card holders to gain access into the house. It is imperative and your responsibility to let the Office of Student Life know when you receive a new ID to ensure you maintain access into the house. If you lose your ID, you must purchase a new one from the Triton One Card Office (190 MSC). Lost Student IDs cost $5 to replace. Student IDs that are damaged or broken are free to replace. If you find your old ID, it will no longer be able to be activated to use at the house. Each house will be issued up to two (2) Advisor ID cards. Only the General Chapter Advisor is authorized to request Advisor ID cards via email to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator. Any lost Advisor ID card will cost $50 to replace. When Advisor ID cards are ready, the General Chapter Advisor may work with the Chapter President and the Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life to pick up the cards from the Office of Student Life (366 MSC) during regular business hours.

Updating House Access The list of authorized members with house access is part of the Monthly Report submitted to the Office of Student Life. The House Manager should work in conjunction with the chapter president and chapter advisor to ensure that the list is kept up to date. Any changes made to the list should be noted in the Monthly Report so that Residential Life and Housing may make the changes to the card reader. If you lose your student ID, get a new ID at the Triton One Card Office (190 MSC) and notify the Property Manager.

Keys Residents will be issued a room key by your house manager or chapter advisor. We urge you to carry your keys and student identification card with you at all times. Please note that there is a $110 fine for lost key. If your key is lost, bent, stolen or broken, call Property Manager or Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Student Organizations.

https://orgsync.com/74060/forms/93345


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Key Procedures: 1. All house and room keys will be issued to the General Chapter advisor upon

request to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator. 2. One (1) authorized person (the Chapter Advisor) may check out keys from the

UMSL Police Station when they are ready. The police station is open 24 hours/day.

3. All keys must be turned in to the Office of Student Life within one (1) week of house closing at the end of each school year.

4. Any lost or damaged keys will be replaced at the expense of the Headquarters/Housing Corps.

5. All keys may be picked up no more than one (1) week prior to resident move in at the beginning of the school year.

University of Missouri System Policy states: 1. No person may duplicate a university key or request the unauthorized duplication of a

university key. 2. No person may transfer any university key from an individual entrusted with its

possession to an unauthorized person, or be in unauthorized possession of a university key.

3. Keys in the possession of unauthorized persons may be confiscated. 4. No person shall replace without permission, damage, tamper with or vandalize any

university lock or security device. The University assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to the personal property of a student. Residents are encouraged to purchase individual renter’s insurance.

Unattended student rooms should be kept locked at all times.

Lock Out Policy It is the responsibility of each student to carry their room key and student identification card with them so that they may access the house, as all doors should remain locked at all times. If you should happen to find yourself locked out during regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm), call the Property Manager or Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Organizations. After regular business hours and on holidays, call pro-staff on-call at 314-225-9971. If for some reason they are unable to help you, please call UMSL PD at 314-516-5155.

House Closing & Opening In order to ensure the utmost safety for chapter members and residents, the University must be made aware of periods when the house is unoccupied or closed. It is suggested that no fewer than 2 members live in the property at any given time. If there is a time


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when fewer than two residents are living in the house, please notify the Property Manager and Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Student Organizations. House Opening/Move In: The house manager or chapter advisor should notify Residential Life and Housing and the Office of Student Life at least two (2) weeks prior to residents moving into the house. House Closing/Move Out: The house manager or chapter advisor should notify Residential Life and Housing and the Office of Student Life at least two (2) weeks prior to resident moving out of the house or the house closing. All properties must be closed June 1

st through August 1

st for updates and repairs. If this is not

possible, please contact the Property Manager to discuss alternatives.

SECURITY

Never let a stranger into the house. Do not jeopardize your security or the security of others by propping open doors or permitting access to the house by strangers. Security within the house is one of the most important concerns. House residents should not hesitate to appropriately assess and resolve security issues and risks. The University Police are strong allies for campus houses and are available to assist whenever needed. In the event you need to call University Police for assistance, you should clearly identify yourself by name and your chapter’s name and address. Calmly and clearly state the nature of the problem and the assistance requested. If an officer is requested to be on the scene, the resident should be at the building entrance to meet the Police officer. House residents should never say or do anything in the presence of guests which would undermine or interfere with police officers or other emergency personnel doing their job. If you are concerned about the situation or how it is handled, you should contact the Property Manager immediately. At no time is it an expectation that an officer will engage in any activity which could jeopardize the safety and health of the house residents or guests.

Room Entry Authorized personnel may enter a house for reasons of health, safety, general welfare, or to make necessary repairs to the room and/or room equipment. When possible, advance notification will be given. The University of Missouri-St. Louis and The Department of Residential Life or Office of Student Life may, without notice, at any time, enter a room for any reason that we deem to be reasonable. Some reasons for our entry include, but are not limited to the following: responding to your request; repairs; estimating repair or refurbishing costs; pest control; preventative maintenance; testing or replacing smoke-detector batteries; retrieving unreturned tools or appliances; preventing waste of utilities; leaving notices; stopping excessive noise; removing health or safety hazards; welfare concern; entry by a law-enforcement officer with search or arrest warrant or in hot pursuit.


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Health And Safety Inspections These inspections will be conducted 1-2 times per semester. Typically they will be conducted by the Director of Residential Life, the Maintenance Supervisor, the property manager, and the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Organizations. 24-hour notice will be provided. Staff will be checking for violations and safety issues (including but not limited to ladders, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors). Exterior Lighting It is the responsibility of the house members to report exterior lighting issues immediately to the Property Manager or the pro-staff on-call (after hours).

FACILITIES

Landscaping Any landscaping requests or needs beyond basic yard care (i.e. grass cutting) is the responsibility of the inter/national Headquarters and/or the Housing Corps. If a chapter wishes to plant flowers or other shrubberies, it must work with the Headquarters and Housing Corps for funding and installations. All plans must be approved by the University before installation begins. Yards and front porches should be kept clear of trash and other clutter including old or broken furniture. Failure to keep a presentable outdoor space may result in fines from the University.

Bicycles and Bicycle Storage Bicycles may be stored inside the house. Please use care to not cause damage to the property.

Kitchen The kitchen is equipped with a stove, refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, fire extinguisher, and cabinets. Residents of the house must provide their own dishes and cooking equipment. Only use detergent made for automatic dishwashers.

Laundry For houses with provided Hoppy Self-Service coin operated washer and dryers (Located at addresses: 8026, 8142, 8224, 8254, 8300)—all machines are coin operated. Change machines are not provided-please provide your own quarters. You are expected to leave this equipment clean at all times. Dye or caustic materials should not be used in these machines. If you have issues with the machine not working, call 314-645-1100. For Chapter furnished laundry equipment (Located at address: 8218), Chapter rules apply. Contact Housing Corps with issues or questions.


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Cleaning & Trash Policy You and your housemates are responsible for the cleaning of your room, bathroom, and house over the course of the semester. We ask that you do your part to keep your building and property as clean as possible.

Trash and recycling is picked up every Wednesday. Place bins on curbs Tuesday evening, and remove from curb Wednesday within a reasonable amount of time. When a holiday falls during the week, trash pick-up will be the next day.

If you have are hosting a large event or an event that you anticipate will create more trash than usual, please contact the property manager to discuss alternative trash removal.

APPLIANCES

Below are some helpful hints on how to use and maintain the various Appliances in your house. If you ever have any questions about your appliances, please submit a maintenance request. Dishwashers Please do not overload with dishes and use only detergents made for automatic dishwashers. Kitchen Disposals Place larger leftovers into your trash can, and then use the garbage disposal for smaller food items.

1. Turn on cold water in kitchen sink 2. Turn on the garbage disposal (switch located near kitchen sink) 3. Feed the disposal a little at a time. Take care to keep utensils and your hands out of

the drain 4. Let the food clear the disposal completely 5. Turn the disposal switch off 6. Let the water run for 15-30 seconds to flush the pipe 7. Turn the water off

Do not put any of the following down drains, garbage disposals or toilets: Grease, animal fat, chicken fat, fish or any type of meat bones, stringy vegetables such as onions, celery or carrots, starches such as potatoes, rice, pasta or flour, paper products such as paper towels, diapers or feminine products or any other foreign object. In the event that you experience water rising up in your kitchen sink, please do not run the garbage disposal hoping it will clear the line, it will not. Immediately report this problem to Maintenance during business hours and to the pro-staff on-call after hours.


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Furnace

Furnace filters should be changed every 3 months and will be provided to the House Managers at the Monthly Manager meetings. Changing your filter regularly may help reduce your utility bills and keep your house cleaner. Replacement filters are available upon request for your convenience.

Refrigerators

Do not use sharp objects to remove ice from your freezer. This could puncture freezer walls. Keeping Baking Soda in the freezer and fridge compartments will keep them smelling fresh.

Smoke Detector

Smoke detector batteries are changed every six months around daylight savings time during the fire extinguisher check. The detectors are also checked at the end of each semester during the Health and Safety Check performed by the Office of Student Life and Residential Life and Housing staff. If your smoke detector is not working properly (there is a test button on each unit), report it immediately via the online maintenance request system. Smoke detectors found to have the battery removed or found disabled will result in a $75 fine to the residents. Residents who are determined to have tampered with the smoke detector may be referred to Student Affairs for additional sanctions. If your smoke detector is beeping intermittently, it means that the battery needs to be replaced. Smoke detector batteries are available upon request via maintenance request.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located throughout the house. Fire extinguishers are not to be removed from the holder on the wall unless needed in an emergency. Painting over or covering it with anything is prohibited. Fire extinguishers are inspected every six months around daylight savings time when smoke detector batteries are changed. The instructions for use and pressure gauge must be visible at all times. If your fire extinguisher gauge does not indicate full or you use the fire extinguisher to put out a fire call 911 immediately. Students who tamper with the fire extinguisher will be fined a minimum of $100. Fire extinguisher should only be used in case of an emergency. If a fire extinguisher is rendered useless (i.e. discharged for nonemergency use or broken) students will be charged a minimum of $150. Residents who are determined to have tampered with the fire extinguisher or rendered it useless may be referred to Student Affairs for additional sanctions.


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Thermostat

The thermostat is located in the hallway and controls both your air conditioning and your heating. It is suggested to leave your thermostat set to “auto” not “on”. Leaving the thermostat set to “on” runs the fan continuously and will lead to larger electricity bills for residents. If you have questions on how to set your thermostat, please submit a maintenance request.

Bathtub/Shower

All residents are required to install a vinyl shower curtain. Shower curtains can be purchased at any general store. The vinyl shower curtain needs to hang inside the bathtub when showering to prevent water from splashing out onto the floor and damaging your unit. Any damage caused due to a lack of shower curtain is billable back to the Housing Corps; if damage does occur a shower curtain will be installed by maintenance and billed back to the resident as well.

Water heater

To save energy and avoid accidental scalding, state law requires the water heater thermostat in your house be set at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. We will not change the setting to a higher temperature and residents should not attempt to change the setting themselves.

Emergency repairs in the evening or on weekends (such as flooding or pooling of water) must be reported immediately to the Residential Life Staff member on-call by calling the pro-staff on-call.

Cable Television

Tampering with Cable TV equipment is prohibited. Any damage to the cable hook-up in your room will result in a fine. There is a $25 charge for damage to the cable.

Should there be a problem with cable in your house contact the property manager. A work order will be generated and the appropriate personnel will be dispatched when available. *Please note that the television sets, DVD players, etc. are not provided by the University. If the equipment is not broken it is the responsibility of the chapter or Housing Corps to fix or replace the equipment.*

Cooking and Electrical Appliances Refrigerators, stove/ovens and microwaves must be kept clean of dirt, grease, and debris.

Halogen or Lava Lamps Halogen lights, glow sticks, or lava lamps are not allowed in the houses. Lamps will be confiscated if found.

Power Cords Only UL approved extension and power cords are allowed. (Limit 1 extension cord per prong).


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Space Heaters Because of fire hazards, only authorized space heaters will be allowed. If your room is cold, please go online to file a maintenance request. If it is after hours, please call the pro-staff on-call.

PROCEDURES

Pests and Bed Bugs If you notice pests in your house or room, immediately contact the property manager, or submit a maintenance request. The houses are treated on an as-needed basis. Residents are responsible for keeping the house clean to avoid bugs and pests.

Weapons Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited and may be confiscated. Among items prohibited from residential facilities are guns, knives, ammunition, razor blades, illegal drugs and any other type of dangerous or hazardous material or property.

Alcoholic Beverages This policy is determined by the Housing Corps and the inter/national organization. All organizations are required to follow the policy of their inter/national organizations and the governing or umbrella organization such as the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) or the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), whichever is more strict.

All National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organization houses must adhere to the alcohol-free housing policy as agreed to by all 26 NPC organizations. If you have questions regarding this policy, contact your chapter advisor or Housing Corps Representative.

Controlled Substances The manufacturing, sale, possession/use, possession with intent to distribute, or perception of use of controlled substance(s), or paraphernalia which has been declared illegal by municipal, state, or federal law is prohibited in the Residence Halls and on University grounds. The substance(s) and any paraphernalia will be confiscated and severe disciplinary action will be taken.

Candles For reasons of health and fire safety, the lighting of candles is not permitted in the houses. Candles without the wicks or have wicks removed are allowed for decoration. Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. In addition the Department of Residential Life and Housing will remove the wicked candle from the resident’s room.

Incense Incense is not permitted in the houses. Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. In addition the Department of Residential Life and Housing will remove the incense from the house.


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Smoking Inside Buildings The University of Missouri-St. Louis is tobacco free. All houses and buildings are tobacco free. Smoking is not permitted within the buildings, including student rooms or balconies. Residents choosing to smoke must do so off campus.

Gambling

Gambling in any form is prohibited on campus. Gambling is defined as playing games of chance for money or prizes. Games of chance include raffles, poker or other card games for money, and door prize events. Any event that would have a “pay to play” scenario is subject to approval from Business Services. Additionally, anything of this nature falls under restrictions of Missouri state law which have rigid guidelines for gambling practices. If your chapter wishes to host this type of event in your house or on University property, please contact the Office of Student Life.

Operating a Business

Residents of University Housing are not permitted to carry on any organized business from their room or within any on-campus residential area. No sign, advertisement, or announcement promoting such business may be displayed on the outside or inside of any University Housing building or premises.

Window Screens

SCREENS MAY NOT BE REMOVED. The following is the rationale for this regulation:

Personal safety is endangered. Rodents crawl up the sides of the building to gain easy entrance into student rooms. Screen and window tracks experience heavy wear as a result of removal.

Failure to comply with this regulation will imply your automatic consent for Housing personnel to enter your room and replace the screen at a cost to you. Removal of ground or first floor screens will result in a $100 fine. Removal from other floors will result in a fine: first offense - $15.00; second offense - $20.00; third offense - $25.00; etc. Subsequent offenses will be referred to the Office of Residential Life and Housing.

Patios and Balconies/Decks

To protect the house’s interiors from water damage, please keep your doors and windows closed and locked when you are not at home.

Flammable materials must not be stored on patio, decks, stairwells, or storage areas. Such storage is in direct violation of fire codes and may carry civil or criminal penalties.

Stairwell and yard drains need to be kept clear of all materials. Blockage of the drain may result in water seeping into the basements during severe storms.

Houses may be decorated for holidays and special events, provided that fire and safety codes and insurance requirements are followed. Seasonal decorations must be removed at season’s end.


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DAMAGE CHARGES

Should damages occur in the house, the Housing Corps or National Organization will be charged. The Housing Corps has the right to bill the residents/the chapter for damages and other costs incurred by the house residents or chapter members.

Common Fines

Tampering with smoke detector/life safety equipment $200 Removal of ground or first floor window screens $100 Removal of window screens from other floors: $15.00-first offense $20.00-second offense $25.00-third offense

PARKING LOTS

For the convenience and consideration of everyone in the community, we’ve established the following parking requirements.

All motor vehicles must be parked in designated parking spots only. We reserve the right to immediately tow all vehicles parked in areas not designated for their use. Such areas include yellow curb areas, the lawn, areas marked “NO PARKING” or spaces designated for a specific residence, and/or fire lanes and any areas that obstruct dumpsters and/or walkways.

Automotive maintenance and repairs are not permitted within the community.

Inoperative vehicles are subject to towing at the vehicle owners expense.

Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and un-mounted trailers may not be parked or stored in the community.

Motorcycles may not occupy an entire parking stall unless that is the resident’s sole

form of transportation. Motorcycles may not be parked on sidewalks, lawns or in walkways in the parking lot. If the resident has an automobile and a motorcycle, the two vehicles must occupy the same parking space.

All vehicles brought to the residence for personal use must be legally registered and

have valid license plates. Any derelict and/or noxious or disturbing vehicle is subject to tow at any time at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Do not, under any circumstances, drive through your yard or the yard of your neighbor. Any damage caused to the lawn will be charged to the Housing Corps or National Organization. Chapter members will also be responsible for repairing any damage.


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For questions regarding yard boundaries, contact Residential Life & Housing.

Snow Removal

Driveways will be plowed and treated during inclement weather. However, sidewalks are the house resident’s responsibility. Salt buckets will be provided. It is the responsibility of the house residents to inform maintenance (by submitting a maintenance request online) if the bucket becomes empty.

SAFETY PROCOTOL AND PROCEDURES

Fire

No matter how small the fire, or even if it is extinguished, report it to UMSL PD. Appropriate action will be taken. In the event the smoke detector sounds, leave the house immediately via the nearest exit. If possible, before you leave the room: turn on the lights, open the drapes, close windows and lock the door. Also remember to wear shoes and carry a towel to place over your nose if smoke is present. If you should happen to be away from your room when the alarm sounds, do not return to your room itself, but leave the building via the nearest exit. Smoke detection equipment is located throughout the house for your safety. If the alarm sounds, evacuate the house in the safest way possible using the nearest exit. Do not return until instructed to do so. There is a smoke detector in every house. Do not tamper with or disconnect this safety apparatus. Report any malfunction to Maintenance via a work order. Students who tamper with smoke detectors and/or fire prevention equipment are subject to a $200 fine and/or disciplinary action, and/or criminal action, and/or a combination of the remedies listed. Emergency ladders in every upstairs room must be stored under the window. Don’t move these ladders, and inform the Property Manager if they are missing or damaged.

If you should spot a fire anywhere in the house: CALL 911 If possible, grab keys and ID card before leaving the house Evacuate the house immediately

The primary consideration during any emergency is the safety of the officers. The house is monitored by smoke detectors located in bedrooms and in common areas. In the event the fire alarms sound: call 911. Calmly tell them your address and that the fire alarms are sounding in your house. St. Louis County will dispatch the fire department and notify UMSL Police all of whom will arrive at the property as soon as possible. Immediately evacuate the house. Remain outside until you are given an “all clear” notice from the professional emergency personnel. Be sure you move in an area away from the


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building and out of the driveways. Do not congregate at the doors or immediately near the building. Do not allow anyone to enter the building for any reason until an “all clear” notice is given. If someone advises you of their concern for a missing member, immediately inform the nearest emergency personnel of the concern. The supervisor or emergency personnel will assume responsibility for that concern. When it may not be safe to follow these procedure…

If you see smoke in an area, do not enter the area. If you find smoke is coming into an area after you have entered it, immediately leave through the nearest exit. Try to stay as low to the ground as possible while still moving. Use whatever is available to cover your nose and mouth. If you cannot safely exit the area, try to go to the nearest safe open room with a window and close the door. Open the window and do whatever you can to let someone know your location. Remain calm and follow all directions given to you by emergency personnel. When someone refuses to follow instructions to evacuate: If someone refuses to follow directions to leave the building and you are not endangering yourself or others by interacting with him/her, calmly and clearly advise the person all fire alarms are taken seriously and s/he must leave the building immediately. If the person still refuses to comply, calmly ask his/her phone number. If the person refuses to provide the number, leave the person and continue the evacuation process. As soon as possible, advise your supervisor of the situation. Be prepared to provide specific information. The supervisor will assume responsibility for the situation at that point. Never put yourself or others in danger because of someone’s refusal to comply with emergency protocol.

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for a tornado to form in the area. This is time to prepare and be aware of where you will go to seek shelter. When a watch has been issued for St. Louis County, the UMSL Police will monitor the situation for additional information. You can stay alert yourself by listening to the radio, television or a weather radio for the latest weather information. Tornado Warning: A tornado has been actually spotted in the area or Doppler radar has indicated an area of rotation. When a warning has been issued for St. Louis County, it is time to take shelter immediately. If you should hear the Civil Defense sirens going off and/or you are notified that severe weather is about to hit the area:

Evacuate to the basement, an interior hallway, a restroom, or anywhere on the lowest level floor as possible that does not have windows or an exterior door.


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o If a warning is issued, the campus notification system will notify you via text or email if you have signed up

o It is important that you make yourself aware of areas of shelter within the house prior to an emergency occurring.

Get under heavy furniture (if available). Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

The designated shelter area in the event of severe weather is the basement. If you hear the tornado alarm or are advised to seek shelter, move quickly through the building and down into the basement until the severe weather has passed. When severe weather develops:

Keep alert of developing conditions by listening/viewing current weather conditions on internet, radio, etc.

Minimize use of telephones and electrical equipment, and sinks or showers. Think about accountability. Notify others of severe weather risk. Be aware of where you will go if weather conditions become unfavorable. Consider

the "safe areas" in your building—basements and lower floors - interior rooms or corridors, away from windows, closing doors to rooms with windows.

If outside, seek shelter immediately. Get out of standing water. If you feel your hair standing on end, squat down but do not lay flat on the ground. If driving, slow down to prevent hydroplaning.

Saint Louis County Police Department will activate the “Outdoor Warning System” whenever the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning for a county adjacent to Saint Louis County. If a Tornado Warning is subsequently issued for Saint Louis County, the sirens will again be activated.

When you hear a warning siren (or are otherwise notified of severe weather event):

Take shelter in safe areas of your building — basements and lower floors, interior rooms and corridors, away from windows, closing doors to rooms with windows.

Keep a safe distance from glass, especially large, exterior-facing windows. Avoid rooms below large, free-span roof sections, such as gymnasiums and

auditoriums, or corridors with exposed piping or utilities. If necessary, sit or kneel on the floor under heavy furniture or against the wall with

your hands on your head. Do not leave your place of safety until the storm passes or you are instructed to.

If caught out in the open, on or off campus, and the storm warnings sound, evaluate your situation quickly. Get inside a building if possible; seek a lower floor or inner corridor. Even If no buildings are close by, lie flat in the nearest depression. If there is time, move away


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from the path of the tornado at a right angle. Do not seek shelter under bridges or overpasses and use extreme caution due to flying debris.

After the emergency has passed:

Check on others in the area—Contact Police at 516-5155 to report injuries (or 911) Watch for broken glass or damaged electrical lines – Report damage to police.

Medical

If you need help: Assess the situation to the best of your ability. Call (314)516-5155 and/or 911 with as much information as possible.

Criminal Activity

If you notice a crime being committed: DO NOT INTERVENE! Remove yourself from the situation as calmly and quietly as

possible. Call on campus police at 516-5155 and/or 911. Have as much information available as possible i.e. the four W’s: who, what, where

and when.

Building Violence Or Hostage Situation

If you hear gunfire and/or notice a hostage situation: DO NOT INTERVENE! Remove yourself from the situation preferably to a location

that can be locked from the inside (remain still and quiet). If you think it is safe to use a phone and one is available call the campus police at

(314) 516-5155 and/or dial 911.

EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE REQUESTS

When making an emergency maintenance request, please call the pro-staff on-call and give your name, address, and telephone number. The Maintenance staff member receiving the emergency call will determine the exact nature of the emergency. A decision will then be made as to whether a Maintenance staff member will respond to the call immediately, or wait to resolve the problem the next working day depending on severity. Type of Emergency Action Broken water line: Considered an emergency

Broken windows: This is considered an emergency only when it affects the safety or security of occupants or could cause damage to the structure.

Door security system: Considered an emergency if resident is not able to secure door with at least one lock.


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Electrical shorts: Considered an emergency if there is a "sparking" of wires or there are exposed wires that could be touched. Broken light fixture (other than ceiling), switches, receptacles etc., are considered emergencies if bare wires or contacts are exposed and are likely to be touched.

Gas leaks: Gas leaks will be evidenced by a gas odor. All calls of this type considered emergencies.

Lock-outs and broken locks: Residents should attempt to call other house residents to gain access to the house if they are locked out. If no one can be reached, a lock out would be considered an emergency and resident should call the Property Manager or Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life (during business hours) and the pro-staff on-call (after hours and holidays).

Loss of A/C: Considered an emergency if the inside temperature is above 85 F.

Loss of heat: Considered an emergency if the inside temperature is below 50 F.

Loss of lights: Loss of power affecting only one room may be addressed by contacting the pro-staff on-call. Power outages affecting entire buildings or blocks are the responsibility of Ameren UE and should be reported directly to Ameren UE at (314) 342-1111. Housing maintenance will not respond to calls for individual lights out (i.e., burned out bulbs) after hours.

Loss of water: Loss of water to a house will be considered an emergency.

Not Considered an Emergency Lost keys: Will be replaced the next scheduled workday.

Loss of hot water: Will be addressed on next working day.

Pests and/or rodents: Contact property manager or submit a maintenance request

Roof leaks: Not normally considered an emergency, as roofs cannot be repaired while wet. In cases of extreme leaks, the Housing Maintenance staff may investigate the situation on an emergency basis. Contain the leak within a bucket or bowl before maintenance arrives.

Sewer line blocked: Considered an emergency only when the commode or shower line is blocked and leaking onto floors. Housing Maintenance will not respond to an emergency call for sinks or bathtubs that will not drain.

Water leaks: Considered an emergency only when placing a pail, pan, etc. to catch the water cannot contain the water leak or flooding. Leaky or dripping faucets are not considered an emergency. General: If any of these problems occur, it is a good idea to contact the pro-staff on-call. They may be able to help resolve the problem. Other items not covered above may be emergency situations that need to be reported immediately. The


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sooner you report a problem to the Maintenance staff at (314) 225-9971, the sooner it can be resolved.

STUDENT CONDUCT VIOLATIONS

Documentation Residential Life and Student Life staff members are required to document any event that occurs in University housing. Examples of events that will be documented include fire alarms, serious medical emergencies, and violations of policies. Usually, an event is recorded on an "incident report." An incident report is an account of an event or situation by the person who has the earliest and most direct involvement with the incident. Charges of policy violations originating from an incident report are considered alleged pending completion of the student conduct process. Any member of the University communities can confront and record any behavior that is inconsistent with community standards. Any complaint should be placed in writing and directed to the Property Manager if the alleged misconduct occurred in or around an on campus property. When behavior is recorded, the student conduct process is set in motion.

Note: If you are present for policy violations, you may be held responsible and appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

Violation of this handbook or the Student Code of Conduct is reviewed by the Property Manager and the Office of Student Life. Conduct hearings will be held with the student after first time violations. Resulting fines from a violation will be billed directly to the student account. If a student continues to violate this handbook or Student Code of Conduct, the Office of Residential Life and Office of Student Life will further determine the appropriate consequential actions. If the student chooses to appeal a decision they can do so to the Director of Residential Life or Director of Student Life.

Further violations may be heard by Student Judicial Affairs.


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Appendices The following pages are supplemental to the Housing Manual but will offer additional

pointers and reminders for living in the properties.


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Helpful On Campus Numbers

Admissions 314.516.5451 Athletics 314.516.5661 Bookstore 314.516.5763 Campus Rec 314.516.5326 Career Services 314.516.5111 Cashier’s Office 314.516.5151 Counseling Services 314.516.5711 Financial Aid 314.516.5526 Health Services 314.516.5671 MSC Building Operations 314.516.5022 Mansion Hill Apartments 314.516.6448 New Student Programs 314.516.5036

Parking & Transportation 314.516.4190 Police 314.516.5155 Registrar/Registration 314.516.5545 Residential Life 314.516.6877 Sodexo 314.516.7301 Student Life 314.516.5291 Student Success 314.516.5300 Tech Support 314.516.6034 Telephone Services 314.516.6500 Temporary/Guest Housing 314.516.4399 Touhill 314.516.4100 Welcome Center 314.516.5460

Property Manager 314-524-3446 Maintenance (daytime) 314-516-7540

Property Manager cell 314-229-1636 Emergency (after hours) 314-225-9971


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Do’s and Don’ts of Plumbing SINKS AND DISPOSALS

DO Grind 4 or 5 ice cubes in the

disposal occasion-ally to eliminate odors and sharpen blades

Only place soft food items in the disposal

DON’T Do not put grease, animal fat, or

bones in disposal

Do not put rice, pasta, flour, baking soda, or baking powder in disposals. These things create a paste and clog the pipes

Do not place non-food items in the disposal such as paper towels, napkins, diapers, hair weave, feminine hygiene products, condoms, glass, metal, wood, etc

DON’T Do not flush feminine hygiene

products such as tampons, pads, panty liners, or feminine wipes

Do not flush products advertised as “flushable”. They still cause backups and are bad for plumbing

Do not use liquid plumber, Draino, or other chemicals in the toilets to clear clogs. They are bad for the plumbing

Do not flush paper towels, sponges, newspaper, diapers, condoms, hair weave, or any other foreign object

DO Only flush human waste and toilet paper

Purchase a plunger

TOILETS


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Important Dates

Resident Meetings: Once per semester The Property Manager and Fraternity & Sorority will contact the House Manager to set up a time to visit a chapter meeting within the first month of the Fall & Spring semesters.

House Manager Meetings: Last Monday of each month A group meeting with all House Managers, Student Life, and Residential Life & Housing will take place on the last Monday of each month. A time will be determined based on the availability of the attendees.

Move In: August 1st Residents may begin moving back in to the house on August 1st of each year. If your actual move in date is different, please contact the Property Manager.

Move Out: May 30th Residents must be moved out of the house on May 30th of each year. If your actual move out date is different, please contact the Property Manager.

House Closing: June 1st – July 31st

All properties will be closed between June 1st and July 31st to allow the University to make updates and repairs to the properties. If there is a resident that must stay in the house during this time, please contact the Property Manager.


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Common Fines & Replacement Costs Tampering with smoke detector/life safety equipment $200 Removal of ground or first floor window screens $100 Removal of window screens from other floors (1st Offense) $15.00 Removal of window screens from other floors (2ndOffense) $20.00 Removal of window screens from other floors (3rd Offense) $25.00 Lost Student ID Card $5.00 Lost Advisor ID Card $50.00 Lost/Damaged House or Room Keys $110.00 Damage to Cable Television outlet/cable $25.00 Tampering with Fire Extinguisher $100 Fire Extinguisher rendered useless due to tampering or $150 non- Emergency situation Disabled smoke detector $75

Residential Community Handbook: Natural Bridge Houses

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Transcript of Residential Community Handbook: Natural Bridge Houses